Analysts predict Samsung's operating profit could exceed $33 billion in Q1 2026, a 400% growth, driven by AI memory demand and strong mobile sales.
© A. Krivonosov
Samsung could set a new financial record as early as the first quarter of 2026. Analysts forecast that the company's operating profit will exceed 50 trillion won, equivalent to roughly $33 billion—the highest figure in the company's history. If these expectations hold, the quarterly profit would be comparable to Samsung's entire 2025 result. Moreover, growth compared to the same period last year could surpass 400%, underscoring the scale of the current memory market boom.
The primary driver of this surge is the artificial intelligence industry. Demand for high-speed memory, including HBM for NVIDIA accelerators and other manufacturers, is soaring. The situation is further amplified by rising NAND memory prices, which also positively impact revenue.
Beyond semiconductors, the mobile division is delivering solid results. Although the Galaxy S26 series only launched late in the quarter, it has already shown strong consumer interest, supporting the company's overall performance.
Experts believe 2026 could be one of Samsung's most successful years recently. Steady memory demand and the expansion of chip contract manufacturing create conditions for continued growth and new financial milestones.